seminyak | Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Bali Indonesia Surfers Paradise

August 25, 2013 by David Herd

Magnificent rice terraces

Bali Indonesia Surfers Paradise, but personally I prefer Thailand as the best Asian destination for a number of reasons. For me there are too many Australians holidaying in Bali and being an Australian myself I really don’t want to mix with my countrymen when I am on vacation. I first visited this lovely island 40 years ago when it was calm and peaceful, now it is so busy all year round with tourists from all over the world. However as I said initially it is a great location for surfers as opposed to Thailand and many other Asian countries which don’t have large waves crashing on the shore.

Gathering for the sunset

On the beach in front of Ku Da Ta the crowd eagerly awaits the sunset.

Beautiful Balinese sunset

One of the best places in the world to watch the sunset.

Ku De Ta

A famous restaurant where people gather for the sunset.

Here I am with little Ben from London

This was July 2008.

Ben & Michelle

We met online while discussing a house swap. I invited them to join me in Bali before coming to Australia to stay in my guest wing.

Traditional dancers

Gorgeous girls in traditional Balinese dress.

Bali has a fascinating culture.

Total concentration here.

Pura Tanah Lot Bali Indonesia

Tanah Lot means “Land Sea” in the Balinese language. Located in Tabanan, about 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Denpasar, the temple sits on a large offshore rock which has been shaped continuously over the years by the ocean tide. Tanah Lot is claimed to be the work of the 15th-century priest Nirartha. During his travels along the south coast he saw the rock-island’s beautiful setting and rested there. Some fishermen saw him, and bought him gifts. Nirartha then spent the night on the little island. Later he spoke to the fishermen and told them to build a shrine on the rock for he felt it to be a holy place to worship the Balinese sea gods.

Beautiful Balinese Villa.

A beautiful Balinese villa.

Balinese boat on Sanur beach.

A great boat on Sanur beach.

The age old question

DOES MY BUM LOOK BIG IN THIS? Definitely not. 🙂

Dining at Ku De Ta in Seminyak.

One of the best places to dine and watch the fabulous sunsets is Ku De Ta on the beach at Seminyak. The photo above shows me David Herd & my friend Ken Grant, an American who now lives and works in Bali.